Thursday, June 26, 2008

What, in your opinion, is the definition of a “reader.” A person who indiscriminately reads everything in sight? A person who reads BOOKS? A person who reads, period, no matter what it is? … Or, more specific? Like the specific person who’s reading something you wrote?

When my son and his girlfriend visited us at camp for a couple weeks, she and I spent quite a bit of time together while the guys were out fishing. The first thing I asked her was, "Do you read?" Then I laughed because of how that sounded. Of course, I knew she could read but wanted to know if she loved reading. To me, that's what a reader is: someone who is gaga over books and reads voraciously. Unfortunately, she wasn't a book reader but did have magazines that she read. Does that make her a reader? Not in my book! (They have since broken up and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the next one WILL be a reader!)

Sunday, June 22, 2008

I put off reading this book because of the title. Love Walked In? Give me a break! And gag me! Why read the book when I know what happens?

Or so I thought! Then I saw it in the "Our Staff Recommends" section of the Nonesuch Bookstore in Saco, Maine and it had such a warm review that I figured I'd give it a try.

And I'm so glad I did! Marisa De Los Santos is a wonderfully poetic writer with a unique way of describing feelings that made me say to myself, "Of course! Why didn't I think of that!"

Her characters are just so darn likable and the story moves along at a nice clip and the writing (Did I mention the writing?) is magnificent! Here's one little simple example: (BTW, Clare is eleven years old.)

Clare walked over to the sofa and smoothed her hand over the embroidered shawl draped over its back. She hated to sit against something so beautiful without at least touching it first, letting it know she noticed it.

Cornelia stood and, with a swift motion, lifted the shawl off the sofa, set it floating in the air like a great butterfly, and then let it alight on Clare's shoulders.

See what I mean? I actually want to reread the book just to savor the language. I'll definitely be looking for her new book called Belong to Me.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Update: My husband and I will be on vacation for ten days. I'm taking my laptop with me but don't know when I'll have an internet connection. How far would you go to snoop on your teenagers if you thought they were in trouble?

That's the issue in this book. Mike and Tia are concerned parents who put a program on their son's computer to track his emails, etc. because he hasn't been himself lately.

From there the action is non-stop. As usual, I enjoyed Coben's writing and the fact that he doesn't preach and leaves the reader to answer the above question for him or herself.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

My reading has been kind of slow-going this week because of the end of the school year and all I had to do to get my room ready for the summer. I'm not complaining, though! It feels great to be on vacation!

I did manage to finish Body Scissors by Michael Simon and really enjoyed it. I wrote a few words about it in the post below.

Now I'm on to Hold Tight by Harlan Coben and, as usual, it's a good story. Great escape book!

Saturday, June 14, 2008

I really enjoyed this book! It is gritty and no-nonsense. The dialogue is real and the characters are not idealized; they are flawed just like the rest of us. The pace is quick and sharp. Now I really want to read the first in this series.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Well, not quite on the calendar but temperature-wise, it's supposed to be almost 90 here today and very humid.

Of course, yesterday was supposed to be quite warm, too, but, when I pedaled to the beach, I had to put my sweatshirt on right away.I wrote a letter then planned to read for awhile but the cool breeze made goosebumps on my legs so I headed back to camp.

I'll try again today.

Body Scissors is a book I won from J. Kaye's raffle and I'm enjoying it very much. Thanks, again, J. Kaye!

Sunday, June 1, 2008

The weatherman said cloudy with a chance of showers today. Right now at 7am there isn't a cloud in the sky and the sun is drizzling through the oak and pine treees. Looks like I might make it to the beach for a bit of reading afterall.

I'm still reading Harvesting the Heart by Jodi Picoult. This is her second book published back in 1993. The writing is beautiful and while the story line is a bit slow, I'm actually savoring that because of her magical words.

This book is about motherhood. Paige's mom deserted her and her father when she was 5. Now that she's a mother, she doesn't feel qualified to be one. It takes an honest look at what it's really like during those first few months of taking care of a first child. I remember it well!

My husband is still sleeping and it's quiet and peaceful. I think I'll make myself a cup of coffee and put a little Bailey's in it for a treat and sit and read in this golden morning.